Submarine mine



s. P. FULLINWIDER.

SUBMARINE MINE. APPLICATION FILED JAN. 26, 1918.

Patented Mar. 22, 1921.

1W E/VTOR. MM7

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SIMON IP- FULLINWIDER, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ASSIGNOR TO GOVERNMEN OF THE UNITED STATES.

SUBMARINE MINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 22,1921.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SIMON P. FULLIN-- \VIDER, a' citizen of the United States, residing at 'ashington, in the District'of Columbia. have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Submarine Mines, of which the following is a specification.

' This invention relates to submarine mines, and more )a-rticularly to' safety devices therefor. I hile especially adapted for use in connection with electrically fired mines, it will appear obvious from the disclosure hereinafter set forth, that various features of the invention are equally valuable to other forms of mines. By way of illustration, the invention will hereinafter be described with relation to that particular type above-mentioned. I

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a safety mechanism for submarine mines of simple and practical construction. A further object is to provide a safety device or mechanism associated with a firing, mechanism so constructed, positioned and arranged as to prevent premature explosion. A further object is to provide a mechanism of the. last above-mentioned type which will be reliable in use and operation, and have relatively few parts which may be easily, quickly made and assembled. Other objects will be in part obvious from the annexed drawings and in part indicated in connection therewith by the following analysis'ofthis invention.

This invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, the combination of parts, and in theunique relations of the various members and in the relative proportioning and disposition thereof; all as more completely outlined herein.

To enable others skilled in the art so fully to comprehend the underlying features thereof that they may embody the same by the numerous modifications in structure and relation contemplated by this invention, drawings depicting a preferred 'form have been annexed as a part of this disclosure, and in such drawings, like characters of reference denote corresponding parts throughout all the views, of which Figure 1 is a sectional elevational or longitudinal view of such parts of a mine,.in

safety position, as are necessary to fully understand the same.

F ig. 2 is a similar View showing the same parts in firing position.

In order that a. clearer conception of the "present invention may be had, it is to be noted that certain types of submarine mines of that character commonly used in harbor protection are electrically controlled or fired,

and may be said to comprise a relatively large casing containing a charge of high explosive. Centrally disposed with respect to this charge, is positioned a smaller charge, or primer charge, consisting of a more easily ignited explosive, such for example, granular T. N. T. This primer charge is exploded in turn by a detonator of any desired type. In the present case an electrically operated one is used. The explosive material used in the detonator is sometimes less stable than the primer charge and premature explosions have occurred. Tests and experiments have demonstrated that the usual detonator will not expode the primer charge or the main charge if it is more than two inches therefrom at the moment of detonation. Therefore the present invention is directed more particularly to mechanism for maintaining the detonator at more thantwo inches from the primer charge until after the mine has beenanchored and placed in operative position and then automatically set the same.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, 5 denotes the shell of a submarine mine, preferably of the character or type above set forth, and within which is positioned a cylindrical chamber '6 inclosing the primer charge envelop 7 usually containing granular T. N. T. This envelop "7 normally oc- 1(gupies a fixed position within the cham- There is indicated at 8 a detonator carried at one end of a linkage system 10, the opposite end of which is connected to a slidable member or piston stem 11 adapted to be actuated by a flexible diaphragm 12. These on actuation or movement of the diaphragm the detonator 8 is automatically moved a much greater distance or from the position shown in Fig. 1 to that shown in Fig. 2.

The details of this construction, as clearly shown in the drawings, comprises a relatively flat and slightly concaved member 13 bolted or otherwise rigidly and permanently secured to the shell 5 by means of studs 14.

Opposite the plate 13 is a concave plate 15 is firmly held between plates 16 and 1 7- threaded upon the stem 11. These parts are corrugated to provide a water tight connection and held in clamping position by nut 18 The member 17 closely fits the interior of the concaved portion of the member 13 and is guided and limited in movement thereby.

An annular ring 19 is secured to the member 15 in any desired manner and is adapted to contain a soluble bushing 23 of any suitable material adapted to dissolve within a predetermined time, from two to twenty minutes, after being exposed to the action of sea water. This bushing is for the purpose of closing a plurality of holes 21 in the plate 15 leading to the hydrostatic chamber 22. A washer 20 loosely fitting within the annular member 18 coacts therewith to protect this bushing 23 from spray or rain during transportation, and also provides an abutment or point of reaction for an auxiliary safety device such as a spiral spring 24 surrounding the stud 11. This washer 20 is held in place by means of a nut 25.

From this it will be seen that when the mine is submerged, the sea water acts upon the bushing 23 to dissolve the same, after which it enters the hydrostatic chamber 22 between the plates 13 and 15 to move the diaphragm 12, thus forcing the stem 11 inwardly with respect to the shell casing '55. Such inward movement will operate the linkage 10, which in thepresent case comprises what is usually referred to as lazy tongs. vert a quarter-inch movement of the stud 11 into a movement of approximately two and one-half inches of the detonator. Of course, other forms of distance multiplying devices may be used, but I prefer to employ lazy tongs in view of their simplicity and reliability.

Such actuation of the lazy tongs causes the'detonator 8 to move into a concave receptacle 26 centrally disposed within the primer charge envelop 7 This envelop is provided with a'tube 27 through which electric wires 28 may pass to the control station or other source of electric power.

While the primer envelop is herein shown as being rigidly supported within the cham'- her 6 by means of supporting members 30 and 31 at its opposite ends, it is of course to be understood that this mechanism might be reversed; that is the primer envelop might be positioned at the end of the lazy tongs where the detonator is shown and the detonator could be relatively fixed with respect to the mine, provided the general objects of the invention stated were accom- This is so proportioned as to con-- plished, that is of 'normally keeping the detonator and primer charge in safety relation prior to the launching of the mine.

From theabove it is believed that the construction, method of use and operation of the device herein shown and described will be clear to those skilled in the art. It is exceedingly simple, practical andreliable in construction and operation, and the safety devices permit the mine to be handled without danger of premature explosion. If for any reason a premature explosion of the detonator should occur during handling there would be little or no danger of cansing the explosion of the complete mine. The detonator 8 cannot be moved into the position shown in Fig. 2 without first destroying the soluble bushing If this bushing should become destroyed, the expansion spring 24 will normally hold the parts in the position shown in Fig. 1. It is therefore always necessary to submerge the mine to such depth as to overcome the action of this spring and cause the actuation of the hydrostatically operated diaphragm before the detonator can be moved in to and maintained in position sufiiciently close to the primer. envelop as to cause an explosion of the mine when the detonator is fired.

A further and most important safety feature of this invention lies in the fact that, if a mine so fitted should break adrift from its moorings or for any other reason rise to the surface or in'close proximity thereto the detonator would be retracted by the spring 24 and the mine thereby rendered safe. In brief, a mine fittedinto this device will be harmless unless and until submerged to a predetermined depth.

It is therefore believed that the present invention accomplishes, among others, all of theobjects and advantages herein set forth.

lVithout further analysis, the foregoing knowledge readily adapt it for variousapplications without omitting certain features that, from the standpoint of the prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention, and therefore such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalency of the following claims z- I I claim as my invention 1. In a submarine mine, in combination, a primer charge envelop, a detonator in normalsafety position with respect thereto, and hydrostatically operated distance multiplying means adapted to produce relative movement between said detonator and the primer charge envelop.

2. In a submarine mine, in combination. a pr1mer chargeenvelop, a detonator in normal safety position with respect thereto,

and hydrostatically operated distance multiplying means including a lazy tong linkwhen said diaphragm is subjected to hydrodetonator into close proximity to said primer charge on movement of said hydro- I has been submerged for a predetermined static pressure.

7 4. In a submarine mine, in combination,"

a primer charge'envelop, a detonator normally occupying a safety position, a hydrostatically actuated 'member'a-dapted to produce relative movement between said detonator and the primer charge envelop on submergence of the mine, and safety means associated with said hydrostatically actuated member adapted to prevent actuation thereof until saidmine has been submerged a predetermined time and to a predetermined depth.

5. Ina submarine mine, in combination, a primer charge envelop, a detonator normall occupying a safety position, a hydrostatically actuated member adapted to produce relative movement between said detonator and the primer charge envelop on submergence of the mine, and safety means including a soluble member associated with said hydrostatically actuated-member adapted to prevent actuation thereof until said mine has been siibmerged to a predetermined depth and a predetermined time.

6. In a submarine mine, in combination, a primer charge envelop occupying a fixed position in the mine, a detonator normally held at safe distance there-from, a hydrostatically actuated piston, and distance multiplying means interposed between said piston and said detonator adapted to'move said static piston.

7. In a submarine mlne, 111 combination, a

primer charge envelop normally occupyingv a fixed position in the mine, a detonator normally heldat safe distance therefrom, a hydrostatically actuated piston, adistance multiplying means interposed between said piston and said detonator adapted to move said detonator into close proximity to said primer charge on movement of said hydrostatic piston, and means protecting said piston from the actuation of the water surrounding the mine for a predetermined time after said mine has been submerged.

In a submarinemine, in combination, a primer charge envelop normally occupying a fixed position 1n the mine, a detonator normally held at safe distance therefrom, a hydrostatically actuated piston, a distance multiplying means interposed between said piston and said detonator adapted to move said detonator into close proximity to said primer charge on movement of said hydro- A static'piston, means protecting said piston from the actuation of the water surrounding the mine for a predetermined time after sa1dm1ne has been submerged, and an auxilia-ry safety device associated with said piston adapted to hold said detonator in safety position until positively moved out of such position by hydrostatic pressure.

9. In a submarine mine, in-combination, a casing, a primer charge envelop within said casing, a detonator normally held'in safety position with respect to said primer charge envelop, a diaphragm, and distance multiplying means between said diaphragm and detonator adapted to move said detona-tor into close proximity to said primer charge envelop when said diaphragm is subjected to hydrostatic pressure.

10. In a submarine mine, in combination,

a casing, a primer charge envelop within said casing, a detonator normally held in safety position with respect to said primer charge envelop, a diaphragm, distance multiplying devices between said diaphragm and the detonator adapted to move said detonator into close proximity to saidprimer charge envelop when said diaphragm is subjected to hydrostatic pressure, and spring means normally opposing said movement.

11; In a-submarine-mme, in combination, a casing, a primer charge envelop within said casing, a detonator vnormally held in safety position with respect to said primer charge envelop, a. diaphragm,"clistance multiplying devices between said diaphragm and the detonator adapted to move said det: onator into close proximity to said primer charge envelop when said diaphragm is subject to hydrostatic pressure, spring means normally opposing said movement, and soluble means normally preventing the actuation of said diaphragm until after said mine time. p I

12. In a submarine mine,in combination, a casing adapted to hold aprimer charge envelop in fixed "position a detonator within said casing normally occupying a safety position with respect to. said envelop, hydrostatically actuated means connected with said detonator having achamber and comprising a diaphragm open to the action of water pressure when submerged, and a linkage interposed between said diaphragm and detonator adapted to move said detonator into close proxlmity' to said primer charge envelop when said hydrostatic meansis ac-' tuated. 4 v

13. In a submarine mine, in combination,

'a casing adaptedto hold aprimer. charge envelop in fixed position, a detonator withinsaid casing'normally occupying a safetyposition with respect tosald envelop, hydro-.

statically actuated means connectedwith said detonator having a chamber and comprising a dlaphragm open to the action of water pressure when submerged, and a hnk- "age interposed betweensaid diaphragm and. detonator adapted to move said detonator.

into closeproximity to said primer charge I envelop when said hydrostatic means-is acacasing adapted to hold a primercharge 'entuated, said chamber having openings communicating with the exterior of the mine.. and. soluble -means normally closingsaidopenings.

14; In a submarine name, in combination,

I velop. in fixed position, a detonator within ageinterposed between said diaphragm and detonator adapted to move said detonator said casingnormally occupying a safety position with respect to said envelop, hydro-" statically actuated means connected with said detonator having a chamber and comprising a diaphragm-open to the action ot water pressure when submerged, and linkinto close. proximity to said, primer charge envelop when said hydrostatic means is actuated, said chamber having'openings communicating withthe exterior of the mine,

. spring means associated with said: hydrostatically actuated member adapted to resist accidental movement thereoiand a soluble bushing inclosing said spring means and normally closing the openings leading into said chamber.

15. In a submarine mine, in combination,

a casing adapted to hold a primer charge envelop in 'fixed position, a detonator within said casing normally occupying a safetypo- .sition with respect to said envelop,'hydrostatically actuated means connected with said detonator having a chamber and comprising a diaphragm open to the action of water pressure when submerged, and linkage interposed between said diaphragm and 'detonator adapted to move said detonator into close proximity to said primer charge envelop when said hydrostatic means is actuated, said chamber having openings communicating with the exterior of the mine,

spring means associated with said hydrostatically actuated member adapted to resist accidental movement thereof, a soluble bushing inclosing said spring means and normally closing the openings leading into said chamber, and means whereby said detonator may be connected with an electrical source of power for exploding the mine.

16. In a submarine mine, in combination, a primer charge envelop, a detonator in normal safety position with respect thereto, hydrostatically operated means adapted to produce relative movement between said detonator and the primer charge envelop when submerged I a: predeterm ned I CllStiIIlCB, and

means for separatingsaid parts'as the die I gree'of submergence decreases. I

17.;In a submarine mine, in combination, I a primer charge envelop, a detonator 111 nor-' mal safety position with respect thereto, hydrostatically operated distance multiplying means adapted to produce relative move- I ment' between said detonator and the primer charge envelop when said mine hasbeen' submerged, and spring means adapted to sepa- I rate said envelop. and detonator when the degree of submergence decreases.

18. In a submarine mine, in combination, a prlmer charge envelop occupying a fixed position, a detonator; hydrostatically actuated means for movingthe detonator into close proximity to said. envelop as the mine is submerge-cl, and means for returning the said'mine breaks away and assumes a floating position.

19. In a submarine mine,'in combination,-

a primer charge envelop, adetonator in nor- .mal safety posit-ionwith respect thereto, by

S5 detonator toxnormalzsafety position in case drostatically operated means having a diaphragm adapted to produce relative movement between said detonatorandthe primer '95 charge envelop when submerged a predetermined distance, and means for separating said parts asthe' degree otsubmersionde creases.

20. In a submarinemine, in combination, a primer charge envelop, a detonator normally occupying a safety position with respect thereto," a water tight casing, an hydraulically actuated member externally of the casing, and means in said casing between said hydraulically actuated member and said detonator adapted to produce relative movement between said detonator and the primer charge envelop when the hydraulically actuated member is actuated upon submersion of the mine.

21. In a submarine mine, in combination, a primer charge, a detonator in normal safety, position remote from said primer determined time.

Signed at Washington, D. ,C.,- this 25th day of October, 1917.

SIMON P. FULLINWIDER. 

